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Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us this Sunday for an inspiring worship experience as we delve into the theme of God doing a new thing, rooted in Isaiah Chapter 43. We are privileged to have Joanna Beck and Louise Carter, our dedicated annual conference lay delegates, sharing their unique experiences with us.

As witnesses to the workings of our church at a higher level, Joanna and Louise have gained invaluable insights. They will reflect on how God’s promise in Isaiah 43 resonates with their journeys as delegates and the ways in which they have witnessed God’s faithfulness and guidance.

Isaiah 43 affirms to us that God is always at work, bringing about new possibilities and transformation. Through the stories and reflections of Joanna and Louise, we will be reminded of the power of God’s presence in our lives and in the church as a whole.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Take care,

Luke

Dear Ones,

Greetings from the 175th session of the California-Nevada Annual Conference! I, along with your faithful Lay Delegates, Joanna Beck and Louise Carter are enjoying a time of fellowship and connection as we attend to the work of the conference. You will hear more about our time here when Joanna and Louise share their report in worship on June 25th.

This Sunday in worship, Tricia will be introducing you to Mt. Tam Church’s goal of cultivating a “summer of kindness.” I hope you will prioritize being in worship to hear about how you can participate in this exciting project. There will also be some fun music from this week’s Peace Camp!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Take care,

Luke

Dear Ones,

This Sunday marks a special day in the life of our congregation as we come together to recognize and honor our dedicated Sunday school teachers as well as present Bibles to our 3rd graders. 

Our teachers serve as role models, encouraging our children to explore and develop their faith, ask meaningful questions, and embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ. Their passion for teaching and commitment to the spiritual growth of our young ones are truly commendable. Therefore, it is my hope that our teachers will feel our congregation’s strong sense of gratitude and appreciation for their selfless service. Remember, one of the top ways you can express that gratitude is by showing up! 

Additionally, this special Sunday provides us with the opportunity to present Bibles to our 3rd graders. These young members of our congregation are reaching a significant milestone in their faith journey as they continue to deepen their understanding of the scriptures. Presenting them with their own Bibles symbolizes our commitment to supporting their spiritual development and equipping them with a valuable resource for a lifetime.

We encourage the parents, families, and friends of our 3rd graders to join us in this joyous celebration as we present the Bibles during our Sunday service. It is a moment of great significance, reminding us all of the importance of nurturing the spiritual growth of our children and empowering them with the knowledge of our sacred text.

I look forward to celebrating with you soon!

Take care,

Luke

Dear Ones,

I hope you will join us this Sunday as we celebrate the gift of music! During worship we will not only be giving thanks for the 20+ years of music ministry of our own Hyunjung Choi, but we will also learn about the stories behind some of our favorite hymns.

After worship, we invite you stay for a BBQ celebration in honor of Hyunjung. There will be Hot Dogs, Korean Short Ribs, plenty of side dishes and, of course, dessert! It promises to be a Sunday celebration that you won’t easily forget!

I look forward to seeing you there,

Luke

P.S. don’t forget that this will be a communion Sunday. If you plan on worshiping via the live stream, I invite you to have bread and juice at the ready to join us during the celebration of the Lord’s supper.

Dear Friends,

This Sunday marks a special event in our liturgical calendar—the celebration of Pentecost. In worship, we will gather to commemorate the birth of the Church and reflect upon the powerful events that unfolded on that momentous day.

Pentecost is often referred to as the Church’s birthday, and rightly so. It marks the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in a dramatic display of flames and enabled them to speak in various languages. As the Spirit empowered them, their tongues became the Church’s first words. In that incredible moment, the disciples were filled with a renewed sense of purpose and a divine calling to spread the Good News to all nations.

This divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit had a transformative effect on the early Church. The disciples, once fearful and uncertain, were now emboldened and equipped with supernatural abilities to communicate across language barriers. It was a powerful demonstration of God’s presence and God’s desire for unity-in-love while also celebrating the diversity of all creation.

As we commemorate Pentecost, we will remind ourselves that the same Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples is still active within our Church today. Just as the early Church found its voice through the tongues of fire, we too are called to speak boldly about our faith, to share the message of hope, and to bridge divides with love and understanding. The Holy Spirit empowers us to reach out to others, breaking down the barriers that separate us and drawing people into the fellowship of believers.

Let us approach this Sunday with hearts open to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. May we embrace our role as the Church, born of fire and words, and allow the Spirit to guide us as we engage with the world around us.

In Joy and Peace,

Luke

Dear Friends,

In our fast-paced lives, it is easy to overlook the holy moments that often go unnoticed in the whirlwind of our routines. We rush from one task to another, seldom pausing to appreciate the sacredness that surrounds us. This Sunday, as we gather together for worship, we will be looking at a story in which Moses is confronted with the reality that God is closer to us than we often realize.

Indeed, each day presents opportunities for us to stand on holy ground if only we pause and open our hearts to the sacred. It may be in the gentle smile of a stranger, the beauty of nature, or the profound silence in the sanctuary. We are called to slow down, to breathe, and to be attentive to the whispers of the divine in our lives.

I look forward to sharing more with you on Sunday.

Take Care,

Luke